Chapter 17 What Fun Will It Be?
~Walter.
My eyes followed Haven as she walked away with Mason.
I hated it—the way he suddenly appeared and asked her to leave with him, like he had every right to.
I hated seeing Haven with someone else.
I didn’t understand why.
I’d never felt like this before. It came out of nowhere, sudden and unwelcome—like my heart had grown used to her without asking for my permission.
“You were quite defensive about Mason wanting a conversation with Haven,” Hannah said. “That’s not something I should be worried about… is it?”
I turned to her.
My hand froze midair, fork trembling for a brief second before I forced myself to relax. I smiled and gestured for her to eat.
“It’s nothing,” I said calmly. “I’m just wondering why a mere… cook would want a conversation with her.”
Hannah scoffed lightly.
“It’s probably nothing serious. We all know Haven. She causes trouble wherever she goes. She must’ve pretended to be me when she arrived, and Mason likely went on break before she could correct it. Avoiding trouble has never been her strength.”
“Hm.”
She hesitated, then asked, “While I was away… did anything happen between Mason and Haven?”
Her curiosity slipped through despite her effort to hide it.
“Not that I know of,” I replied.
“Are you sure?” she pressed. “Mason seems a little too interested in her.”
“Hm,” I murmured, then lifted my gaze to hers. “True. But you were also quite defensive about Mason not getting what he wanted. That’s not something I should be worried about, is it?”
I used the same tone she had earlier.
Her smile faltered.
“It’s nothing,” she said quickly, followed by a cough.
“I’ll leave you to eat,” I said, pushing my chair back. “I have a meeting.”
Even the blind could see it.
There was something familiar between Hannah and Mason—too familiar.
I’d noticed it before.
I’d just chosen to ignore it.
Their conversation were too casual, their gaze lasted longer than usual.
I didn’t care.
I never did.
Hannah was cunning. Far too cunning. She probably had a deal with Mason—one she didn’t want me to know about.
What was more frustrating was the fact that I had to keep pretending to love her. But this days, my patience's grown thinner.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
And like always, my thoughts drifted back to Haven.
They always did.
Then the thought struck me—sharp and ugly.
What if Mason asks for Haven’s body in exchange for keeping his mouth shut?
Fuck!
…….
I gently pushed Hannah's head of my shoulder, heaving a sigh as I got out of bed.
I kept wondering what Haven was doing the whole time. I could barely focus on myself.
Mason was a bother…not because of anything, but becaise of how scared of him Haven was.
I stepped out of the room, my feet dragging gently against the ground.
I wanted to get a glass of water after making sure Mason wasn't anywhere close to Haven, but somehow my legs drifted towards Haven's room.
I reached her entrance and halted, hesitating whether or not to knock.
“Hello,” she whispered .. .she was on the phone. .
With who?
My grip tightened, my curiosity lingered.
She's probably planning another date with some stupid guy. I held the knob, but then.
“Hi, father, good evening,” she said.
I halted.
Unlike before, Haven's voice was calm. She was never that calm when she spoke to her dad.
She sounded hurt…. Like she was too tired to be rude.
It broke my heart.
She wasn't herself.
I listened.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you I just. .I just want to talk to you about something. I promise. It won't take time please. Just listen to me,” she said.
She had to beg for attention.
Not until then did I realise how much it hurt her when I kept shrugging her off. No one cared. Not about what she had to say, or how she felt.
“No dad, I didn't cause trouble. I swear I didn't do anything,” she was quiet for a while then she continued “Okay…hum. I applied for a job. A modeling job at Mr. Rashford's company. He agreed to employ me but only if…only if you agree to it.”
Haven wants to work?
“Dad please …I won't ruin this. I won't say anything I'm not supposed to to Mr. Rashford. I'll listen….to anything to tell me just please…. Let me work.”
I didn't get to hear anything after that. The only thing that followed was the sound of her sobs.
I wanted to walk in…. Comfort her…. Tell her everything was going to be okay eevn though I wasn't sure it would.
But then….. I'm in no place to do that.
I should just let her be.
I stepped away from Haven's room with my heart racing.
I felt sorry for her.
She was going through more than enough already and even though she didn't want to see me, the least I could do was calm the storm in her life.
Mason.
She was scared of what would happen….he was probably part of the reason she was crying.
I sighed.
I walked into the kitchen – Mason stood by the sink, wiping his hand with a napkin as he hummed a song.
“We need to talk,” I growled after making sure Hannah wasn't anywhere close.
“About what sir? Do you need me to run an errand?” He asked, smilin faintly.
His smile, his feigned ignorance.
It irritated me.
“Srip the act.”
“What act, sir?” He asked again.
My fists tightened. “All of this, stop it. The act? Drop it. Listen. …. Haven and I have been fucking. And I do not think we'll stop. And it seems kind of hard for you to keep your stupid mouth shut.
That thing you did at the dining this morning, stop it. Stay away from Haven. I won't repeat myself.
So tell me. What do you want? Money? A job? What?” I asked.
Mason raised his head.
That calmness had vanished and he dared to look into my eyes.
Impressive.
“Mr. Blake, I can tell. You're eager to know what I want, don't you?” He laughed. “But now's not the time, sir. Take a chill pill. It's coming. I know you like surprises, don't you? What fun will it be if you already know what is coming?”